Atlas RS11 Classic vs. Master differences

[nickelplate759]

I have all three major versions of the Atlas N scale RS11.   The first, made by Kato, easy easy to identify (truck-mounted Rapido couplers).
I am having a hard time determining what's really different between the "Classic" and "Master" versions.    The actual chassis looks very similar, and on the models I have (all NKP) the bodies.    Are the differences all in the paint details?

[peteski]

George, http://spookshow.net/loco/kators3.html should be helpful.

[nickelplate759]

Nope - first of all, the link is for the RS3 page 
Second, the RS11 page doesn't address the Master version of this engine at all.

That said, it was still a good suggestion, as I had forgotten to check Spookshow...

[u18b]

if I had to make a wild guess based on the RS-3 entry, maybe Atlas has inserted that new universal joint in the RS-11 as well.

Making it run quieter.  No more Beardenizing!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Didn't they move it to the Master line when they redesigned the walkway/handrails and added DCC?

[peteski]

Nope - first of all, the link is for the RS3 page 
Second, the RS11 page doesn't address the Master version of this engine at all.

That said, it was still a good suggestion, as I had forgotten to check Spookshow...

Well then, I have no excuse as to why I gravitated to RS-3. Maybe because subconsciously I remembered that the original Kato RS-3 and -11 shared the same chassis? How's that for an excuse?   

While not as expansive as the RS3 write-up, Mark does cover the different versions.  Maybe the DCC-ready chassis is from the Master series?

He writes "This newest version is DCC-Ready (and is, in fact, available with a factory-installed decoder). Couplers are now shell-mounted Accumates."  Could that be the Master version?

[tehachapifan]

A lot of those early Kato/Atlas drives did not have contact strips and axle cup pickups like the newer "Chinese" drives. Not sure if this applies to the RS11, though I have I hunch it does.

So, there were 3 versions of these then?

[peteski]

A lot of those early Kato/Atlas drives did not have contact strips and axle cup pickups like the newer "Chinese" drives. Not sure if this applies to the RS11, though I have I hunch it does.

So, there were 3 versions of these then?

That is correct for both, RS-3 and -11. Those original Kato models had "split-frame" (as he calls it) inside-bearing trucks, and no springy contacts between the trucks and the chassis. Mark's review mentions that.

From his RS-11 review:
The original Kato-made RS-11 shares the same basic chassis as the earlier Atlas/Kato RS-3 model. However, the internal components of the two mechanisms are quite different. Features include a split-frame metal chassis, split-frame metal truck assemblies, all-wheel drive and 6-wheel pick-up (two wheels being equipped with traction tires).

[spookshow]

I haven't looked at the 2016 version (which I'm assuming is the "Master" version). But Ron is probably right - if it changed at all (as compared to the 2006 version), it probably got the new u-joints that Atlas started using around that time. If somebody could confirm that for me, that would be very helpful.



Thanks,
-Mark

[Jim Costello]

Mark, 
       My RS-11 is a Atlas Master Line loco with the NCE decoder, one of the quietest and smoothest running locos I have.
       The worm drive is exactly the same as the photo you posted with worm between the two bearings and the universal joint nearly within the flywheel housing itself.
       I don't remember when I actually purchased it,probably when they were released as it is the NH version. I should have brought more at the time.

       JIm

[spookshow]

Thanks, Jim.

[nickelplate759]

So this was still bothering me, so I finally got one of each and opened them up.   Here's what I found:

1. Same frame
2. Same body but different paint details, even on the same road name.  In general, the Master has a little more paint detail.
3. Different motors (although apparently interchangeable)
     Classic has a light gray motor, Master has a black motor.  There are other differences beside color - maybe two different manufacturers?
4. Different circuit boards (these are DC models.
5. Yellow LED on Classic, White on Master

So - not a lot is different!

[peteski]

3. Different motors (although apparently interchangeable)
     Classic has a light gray motor, Master has a black motor.  There are other differences beside color - maybe two different manufacturers?
. . .
So - not a lot is different!

Thanks for the detective work.  Just as I suspected.

As for the motors, we discussed this ad-nauseam (in a typical TRW fashion) in this recent 7-page thread. 

[skm]

I seem to remember they lengthened the wheelbase?

[nickelplate759]

I seem to remember they lengthened the wheelbase?

The short wheelbase was the Atlas/Kato version.   Both the Atlas Classic and the Atlas Master versions have the same chassis and same wheelbase.